Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PHAR5714: Pharmaceutics and Formulations

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit of study students learn to evaluate the physicochemical principles, design, formulation, and manufacture of pharmaceutical dose forms. The formulation of liquid dose forms including parenteral, nasal, ophthalmic and aural products is discussed. Related topics such as diffusion and dissolution of drugs, drug solubilisation, surface and interfacial tension, surface active materials, micelle formation, pharmaceutical complexes and drug-packaging interactions are covered. Other topics covered in this unit include biomaterials; solid dose forms and particle science that comprise tableting and capsule technology; rheology, freezing point depression, osmosis, dispersion dose forms including suspensions, colloidal dispersions, and emulsions; topical dose forms and semisolids; inhalation pharmaceutical aerosols; biologics, vaccines and their formulations; rectal products; novel drug delivery technologies. Aspects pertaining to the stability of dose forms are also presented in this unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

6 credit points of Biochemistry, 12 credit points of Chemistry, 12 credit points of Pharmacology, 12 credit points of Physiology.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Veysel Kayser, veysel.kayser@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task Final exam
Written examination
55% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Assignment group assignment Tabletting laboratory
Practical assessment
20% Multiple weeks 2 x ~4 hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9
Assignment group assignment Physical chemistry practical
Practical assessment
5% Multiple weeks 5 x 3 hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
Skills-based evaluation Compounding practical
Practical assessment
0% Multiple weeks 2 hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Quiz
Quiz
20% Week 08
Due date: 27 Apr 2021 at 08:00

Closing date: 27 Apr 2021
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Compounding practical: Students will be required to translate the principles governing the formulation and manufacture of pharmaceutical dose forms, to compounding or extemporaneous dispensing. Students will be required to attend compounding practicals and engage in the complete process of extemporaneous dispensing that involves risk assessment, product preparation, labelling and packaging, and documentation. As part of this assessment, students will be required to maintain a Compounding ePortfolio. 
  • Physical chemistry practical: Each labratory is completed as part of a group. The minimum number of members per group is two and the maximum number is four. Students will be allowed to select their own group members during the first laboratory class. The labs must be completed within 3 hours. No extra time will be given to groups that do not complete within this time.
  • Tabletting laboratory: The practical exercise will be performed in small groups during the scheduled practical sessions. The objective is to assess individual’s and your group’s abilities to understand the underlying principles of the course through experimental investigation and critical analysis. Each practical will be marked according to the performance in the laboratory and the practical report submitted by the students.
  • Quiz: The minor, mid-semester examination will consist of multiple-choice questions.
  • Final exam: The final exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. 
  • Group Work: Peer assessment (relative performance factor) will be applied to moderate the groupwork marks. Students will take part in a formative peer assessment conducted in early semester, and a summative peer assessment in late semester. Peer assessment will be completed online to obtain a factor between 0-1 and will be according to an agreed set of criteria established by groups in session 1

Repeating students:  Exemption from components (laboratory, practical, forensics etc) for students repeating PHAR5714 will only be granted by the MPharm Program Director for students who achieved a grade of Credit (65%) or above for the relevant components in their previous attempt completed no more than three calendar years prior, and the relevant component has not significantly changed since the student completed it. Applications for exemption must be made in writing (which includes email) to the unit of study co-ordinator. Students who have been granted a component exemption in writing, together with any consequent change in the weighting of the remaining components in the unit of study, cannot attend the classes for that component and will have their overall mark for PHAR5714 based upon their performance in the remaining components in the unit of study.  Component marks from a previous attempt will not be carried over. The exemption will not become effective until the student has accepted.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Group Work: Non submission of peer assessment will result in a factor of zero (0) being applied to the non-submitter’s groupwork mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Solid oral dosage forms: tablets Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 02 Liquids and solutions Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 03 Rheology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 04 Liquid formulation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 05 Freezing point depression Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 06 Osmosis Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 07 Injectables and protein formulations Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 08 Colloids and suspensions Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 09 Emulsions, gels, and creams Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 10 Body systems Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 11 Pulmonary drug delivery Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Capsule technology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 13 Stability of pharmaceutical dose forms Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the Master of Pharmacy Course resolutions on Attendance Requirements, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials/ labs/ workshops (7 of 8 labs, 10 of 12 Tutorials) to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study.

For more information see:  https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health_PG/coursework_mr/pharmacy.shtml

If a tutorial/ lab/workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/ lab/ workshop will be marked as absent. Students swapping a class without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will be marked as absent.
 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. (critically) examine scientific evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to arrive at evidence-based conclusions
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the body as a complex adaptive biological system
  • LO3. identify sources of drugs, the way they are discovered, purified, characterised and analysed, and their physico-chemical properties
  • LO4. demonstrate a working understanding of fundamental concepts and techniques of chemistry necessary for understanding drug analysis, delivery, drug action and therapeutics, and diagnostics
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms of action and the properties drugs display as biologically active molecules in living systems
  • LO6. apply appropriate numeracy skills to the solution of pharmacy problems
  • LO7. provide prescription medicines and appropriate advice and counselling
  • LO8. evaluate evidence for safety, quality, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of prescriptions and other orders for medicines
  • LO9. demonstrate the ability to learn independently and work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team
  • LO10. store, supply, and dispose medicines in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.